Saturday 6 March 2010
Tune of the Day: Alma Llanera
Venezuelan song
“Alma Llanera” (usually translated as “Soul of the Plains”) was composed by Pedro Elías Gutiérrez as part of a zarzuela (a type of Spanish operetta) that premiered in Caracas, Venezuela, in 1914. It is a joropo, a musical genre found in the plains of Venezuela which vaguely resembles the waltz. Formerly, the Spanish word “joropo” meant a “party”, but now it has come to mean a type of music and dance that identifies Venezuelans.
The song is considered as Venezuela's second national anthem. It is a tradition in Venezuela to end any social reunion or party with the intonation of “Alma Llanera”. It is undoubtedly one of the best-known Latin American songs and has been interpreted by famous singers all over the world.